Illegal drugs worth $43,000 seized, 2 arrested

Ronald Glen Parsons, 56, of rural New London, Mo.; and Kelly L. Bruce, 49, of rural Hannibal, Mo., were arrested Thursday, Dec. 13, after illegal drugs with an estimated street value of more than $43,000 were seized in Ralls County during the simultaneous execution of five search warrants.

Ronald Glen Parsons, 56, of rural New London, Mo.; and Kelly L. Bruce, 49, of rural Hannibal, Mo., were arrested Thursday, Dec. 13, after illegal drugs with an estimated street value of more than $43,000 were seized in Ralls County during the simultaneous execution of five search warrants.

The items seized were stolen property, synthetic marijuana, heroin, components of a methamphetamine lab, marijuana, methamphetamine, and more than 2,000 containers of bath salts, according to the Northeast Missouri Narcotics Task Force.

Parsons is charged with a Class B felony of possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver, according to Capt. Patti Talbert, director of the Task Force.

Bruce is charged with two Class C felonies of possession of a controlled substance, and a Class B felony of attempt to manufacture a controlled substance.

The charges were filed by Special Prosecutor Mark Fisher, who also is Pike County prosecuting attorney. Talbert explained that Fisher was requested to serve as special prosecutor by Ralls County officials.

Bond for both Bruce and Parsons was set at $100,000, cash only, by Judge David C. Mobley.

On Friday, Dec. 14, Parsons and Bruce were in the Marion County Jail in Palmyra, Mo.

They were expected to be arraigned in Ralls County Court on Monday, Dec. 17, Talbert said.

The Task Force was assisted by officers from the Marion County Sheriff's Department, Ralls County Sheriff's Department, Clark County Sheriff's Department and the Missouri State Highway Patrol in simultaneously executing the five search warrants.

The searches occurred in Hannibal, New London and rural Ralls County, and the items seized were all at three of the locations in Ralls County, Talbert said. Items were seized at Bruce's home, 46352 Ocean Wave Lane, (rural) Hannibal, Mo.; Parsons' home at 54429 Haden Place, (rural) New London; and at 1100 S. Main St., New London.

Bruce and Parsons were each arrested at their homes, Talbert reported. No one was injured in any of the incidents, she said.

"We are encouraging local law enforcement agencies to contact the NEMO Task Force for more information regarding any stolen property that they are trying to recover," Talbert said.

The Task Force emphasized that the searches, seizures, charges and investigations involved numerous months of leg work and planning, and untold amounts of personnel. Talbert thanked all the agencies for helping, adding "we are very pleased with the outcome."